Fuel

A Low-Budget Loft-Style Space that Proves the Power of Creativity 

There’s a big misconception that good design has to be expensive. We take pride in disproving that on a regular basis. Fuel Advertising’s offices remain a favourite example of just how much can be done with a small budget and a little creativity. Colourful and dynamic, this loft space is informed by Fuel’s “Power of the Possible” tagline, which is emblazoned on a fire engine red wall in the reception lounge. It’s one of a range of contrasting hues we selected to bring energy to the space. The red wall pops behind an elongated white sofa – a custom piece designed by Bartlett & Associates.

We found a low-budget cable management system in sheets of inexpensive corrugated metal, which we ran along the exposed ceiling. The linear grooves in the metal guide visitors through a riot of colour. Partitions of lime green acrylic – another inexpensive solution – delineate spaces like the open plan work area and a casual meeting space. The latter is fun and casual, with a purple sofa and bean bag chairs. A purple iteration of Marimekko’s iconic Poppies textile is stretched across a trio of canvases to become artwork. Another Marimekko print – Birch Trees – is used similarly above a vivid green banquette in the café.

Magnetic metal panels hang from the walls, offering staff a place to pin up works-in-progress that add further colour to the space. And the reception wall’s memorable red appears again where you’d least expect it: atop the most colourful boardroom table you could imagine.